Family Attractions in Gatlinburg

In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you'll find plenty of small-town charm along with many amenities, a comfortable mountain climate and welcoming residents. Family attractions in Gatlinburg are easily accessible by train or car. The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains offers plenty of unspoiled natural beauty along with tons of fun and engaging activities. There are so many Gatlinburg activities that every member of your crew is sure to have a memorable time.

If you want to visit eastern Tennessee to spend time outdoors, you're definitely not alone. One of the leading family attractions in Gatlinburg, or at least very close, is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The vast park covers over 800 square miles and boasts some of the world's oldest rocks, many of which are over a billion years old. Elevations range from just over 800 feet to more than 6,500 feet, and over a third of the park is covered by old growth forest. The park is the main attraction on many Gatlinburg vacations, not only because of the hiking and walking trails, but also because of other fun things to do inside the park. There's plenty of fishing and horseback riding, and two modern, spacious visitors' centers. Tubing and bicycling are also quite popular things to do in Gatlinburg with kids. There are also plenty of 19th-century buildings scattered throughout, such as the historical Little Greenbrier School. The park gets more rain than any other area of the country, except for the Pacific Northwest, so be prepared to get a little wet.

This great family attraction in Gatlinburg is very close to the 216-room Glenstone Lodge, where you'll find an indoor and outdoor pool, a waterfall and a cozy hot tub. You can enjoy a waffle breakfast, then head out to the on-site putting green. There are plenty of other kid-friendly hotels in Gatlinburg to choose from.

After a day or two outdoors, you may want to come inside for some family fun. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg with kids. Many activities combine the indoors with the outdoors. The 40 story-high Gatlinburg Space Needle towers above the city and offers 360-degree views of the surrounding tree-covered mountains. There's a glass elevator to take you to the top, and an Italian bistro at the bottom. One of the best attractions in the Gatlinburg area is the Dollywood Amusement Park in nearby Pigeon Forge. Dollywood is just the centerpiece of Dolly Parton's fabulous amusement multiplex, which also includes Splash Country, the DreamMore Resort and a large dinner theater. Among the top things to do in Gatlinburg with kids, Dollywood combines the area's largest thrill rides with plenty of local musical acts and crafts.

The Reagan Resorts Inn is conveniently place near Dollywood and many other family attractions in Gatlinburg, like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, where you'll find over 10,000 exotic fish, and the Wild Bear Falls Indoor Waterpark, the largest facility of its kind in the South. You may want to include Christ in the Smokies in your family trip plan to Gatlinburg. The wheelchair-and stroller-friendly museum contains over 100 wax statues depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ, along with historical vignettes and a large gift shop.

The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains truly has something for everyone. Create a custom Gatlinburg family vacation package for a memorable trip.